Bike lanes, safety improvements coming to Brattle Street Wednesday

The City will begin installing separated bike lanes on Brattle Street between Mason Street and Sparks Street this week as part of the Brattle Street Safety Improvement Project. This work includes:

• Adding a two-way separated bike lane between Mason Street and Sparks Street.
• Reconfiguring the intersection of Brattle Street with Craigie Street to create two distinct intersections at Brattle Street/Sparks Street and Brattle Street/Craigie Street.
• Painting crosswalks.
• Adding additional road markings, including parking stalls, turn arrows, and lane lines. 

Beginning on Tuesday, November 8, City crews will remove all parking signs on the north/odd side of the street and replace them with "No Stopping" signs. Residents and visitors should look out for temporary additional parking restrictions while installation is underway. 

On Wednesday, November 9, crews will begin making changes to pavement markings at 8 p.m. Depending on how much crews can get done, additional nights of work may be needed. This schedule is weather-dependent.  

Previously, the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department announced that installation of this project would be delayed, but the department has adjusted its approach after re-evaluating the feasibility of using temporary materials. The concrete curbs that will separate people biking from vehicles will not arrive until later this winter; instead, the City will temporarily use tube-style cones.  

This project helps the City of Cambridge meet the requirements of the Cycling Safety Ordinance, which mandates the installation of 25 miles of separated bike lanes by approximately 2026. These lanes will connect important destinations throughout Cambridge, increasing comfort for people biking by using a physical barrier or curb to separate them from vehicles. 

The changes between Mason Street and Sparks Street will complete Phase 1 of the Brattle Street Safety Improvement project. The City plans to install Phase 2, between Sparks Street and Mt. Auburn Street, in 2023. Visit the project webpage to learn more and sign up for the project mailing list to stay up-to-date on events and updates.